Paul Kirtley's Blog » Bushcraft Skills

Autumn brings golden leaf hues, low sun angles, casting long shadows in the afternoon, cold, crisp air as night falls, and Orion coming into view above the horizon, as the skies darken. In my boo...

https://paulkirtley.co.uk/2021/ideas-extending-bushcraft-year-autumn/

It’s often said that you can’t learn bushcraft skills overnight, that there is always more to learn, that many skills take years of practice to even approach mastery. So, how does the average...

https://paulkirtley.co.uk/2017/accelerate-bushcraft-learning/

I'm often asked about bushcraft skills and camp set ups for heading into the woods for a weekend. Quite a few readers of this blog - and viewers of my YouTube channel - have asked for articles/vi...

https://paulkirtley.co.uk/2014/a-night-in-the-woods-video/

The amount of firewood required in the northern forest in winter demands the use of an axe. Unlike staying in a cabin, however, when staying in a heated tent you are unlikely to have the use of a...

https://paulkirtley.co.uk/2012/splitting-firewood-on-snow/

The ability to light a fire is an essential wilderness skill. Whether you are practicing your bushcraft skills in the local woods or planning an expedition, fire-lighting skills should be at the ...

https://paulkirtley.co.uk/2011/how-to-light-a-campfire-with-one-match/

Fomes fomentarius is a bracket fungus, more commonly known as Hoof Fungus or Horse's Hoof Fungus. It is also known as the Tinder Bracket. This fungus can be prepared into first-rate tinder. Which...

https://paulkirtley.co.uk/2011/easy-way-to-use-fomes-fomentarius-as-tinder/

How should you supervise a child using a bushcraft knife? Should they even have one at all? Bushcraft knives and children do mix but it is a relationship that must be managed... Emma Hampton cove...

https://paulkirtley.co.uk/2011/bushcraft-knife-safety-for-children/